Bag



Nov. 13, 1928.

H, c. GAMBLE BAG Filed Dec. 15, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 4 TTOR/VE Y,

H. C. GAMBLE BAG 2 Sheefs-$heet Filed Dec. 15, 1 922 ATTORNEY,

Patented new. is, as.

nutter;

s earner (some .ipgalleation filed Decanter 315, was. serial Etc. aerate.

semi-rigid, but substantially self-collapsible characteristics of patent leather, a primary feature of my invention being the provision the holding means-can be readily moved into of stifiening means, support the container in expanded self-sustaining position and means to removably secure said stifi'enin .means, in position so that when it'is desire to collapse the container for packing, as in a trunkb'r dress-suit case'when travelling,

position to permit such collapse.

l-le'rtofore such patent leather hat containers have been constructed in permanently expanded shape, and so far as I am aware, I am the first to provide means for readily collapsing and expanding drum-shaped containers of this kind, thereby making possible their more convenient utilization as an article for travellers use, by diminishing their bulk when not required to contain hats or other articles. a v 7 A; further feature of the invention is to provide a bag with closure means and a handie or like supporting member for positively closing the closure means when t e bag s carried by the handle,

A further feature of the invention is to provide a bag formed or leather or fabric or like non-self-sustaining material [and stifiening members arranged relatively to the non-selsustainin material to render the material self-sustalning.

' Pursuant'to the invention, the bag co1nprises material such asjleather, fabric or the like, usually of circular contour the materlal of one circular side and the body strip being sewed at their contiguous edges or otherwise permanently attached to one another, the

material oi the opposite circular side being partially sewed or otherwise permanently at tached to'the body strip an the remainder servin as a flap or otherwise unattached snap asteners or other readily detachable connecting means for connecting the flap to efiect closure of the bag; a set of coacting stiffening elements removably secured stiffening osition as, by means of snap tastenors or t e like and when detached are re f moved from stlfiening position to afiord eellapsibilityof the material of the bag; a tea die comprising a lurality of elements usually in the form 0 a pair of strapsconnected at their free ends by snap. fasteners or the like, the opposite ends of the'straps being respectively permanently secured to the body of the bagland to the flap whereby u n the flap ot the bag is secured against drop-- e Fig. 2 is a top' plan view of the bag in hori-' zontal position, showing the handle strapsdee tached and the closure flap of thelbag in opened position;

Fig. 3 is a centralvertical sectional elevation of the bag in vertical position, on an enlarged scale, and showing the closurelflap of theha'g in open position i v Fig, 4 is a detail perspective view eta portion-of the interior of the bag and showingone form of stifienin element; the dotted outline shows the sti eningelementin sue felling position and the full outline shows the ill!) stiffening element swung out of stifiening position;

Fig. 5 1s a perspective ,view of a modification of the bag shown inl ig. l of double car al 4 Fig. 6 is amodification 0 tion; I i

Fig, 7 is a perspective view out the drumsh'aped modification shown-in Figure 6, but one a reduced scale; and 3 Fig. 8 is a erspective view of a further modification o the invention of general rectan erspective view of e ilurther the bag embodwing the invenlar outline.

eferring to Figs. 1 to 4 the hag is illustrated of circular contour and in such form. comprises the side member wot circular out-' ice line and ma hemade ofleather, fabric or like non-celt-sustainin material The ripheral portion 11- is ound by stitching or thellilre at its edge 12 to the circular edgeot the side member 10.

i The opposite edge 13 of the peripheral body portion 11 is secured for a portion of its cireunlterenee to the opposite side member it the peripheral body portion 11, for removably securing the flap 16 in closed position.

The handle in the strap form as illustrated comprises a strap member 20 secured at its lower end 21 by stitching or the like to the material of the bag as between the contiguous edges of the side member 10 and the under side of the peripheral body portion 11. The other strap member 22 is secured at its .end 23 to the upper edge of the flap 15, as between the contiguous portions of the upper edge of the flap 15 and the flange strip 16.

For the purpose of .rendering the bag'selfsustaining, I provide stiffening means which may be in the form of a plurality of stiffening members, such as strips 24, of fibre or the like-and for efi'ectuating the fabric of the bag self-sustaining. Such strips 24 may be four in numberand distributed respectively at the top, the bottom and at the opposite sides. The strips 24 may be secured at their inner ends 25 by stitchmg or the like to the inner face of either of the circular side members 10 and removably held in stiffening position by'means of snap fasteners 26, 26 respectively secured to the adjacent face of a strip 24 and to the inner face ofthe circular strip portion 11,

The strips 24 may be provided with pockets 28 for jewelry, wearing and toilet articles and the like.

. The embodiment of the invention illus- I trated in' Figs. 1 to'-4, is primarily suitable for enclosing a hat and for such purpose the contour of the bag may be circular or drumshaped. However, it will be apparent that the invention is applicable for enclosing other I articles and the contour of the bag may be shaped in correspondence to such other articlevor articles or to provide advantages in space or arrangement of a numberof enclosed articles, as may be desired. I p

' The bag illustrated in Fig. 5 is designed of double or other increased capacity as compared with the bag shown in Figs. 1 to 4, in-

' elusive, suitable for a hat of enlarged design or for enclosing wearing apparel or other articles as well as one or more hats. The one circular side member 30 is fully attached to the peripheral bodymember 31 about the.

complete eripheral edges thereof, similarly as hereina ve set-forth and the other circular side member 32 may be connected to the peripheral body member 31 for-the lower circumference thereof, the upper circular-half serving as a flap 33 and snap buttons 34 and 34*, provided for closing the flap 33. The pair of coacting handle straps 35, 36 are conngcted to one another by the snap buttons 37, 3

In this modification, the flaps 38 are in the form of sheets of fibre enclosed in suitable silk or other fabric and sewed at one end 39 to the inner face of one side member 30" and held in sustaining position by snap, buttons 40, 40 The flaps 38 are shown as four in number although the number of the same may be increased as desired, and the flaps 38 may alternately be connected to any one of the cir- In the modification shown in Fig.5, auxiiia-ry'pockets may be applied on the inner faces of either or-both of the circular side members 30, 32, or onthe inner face of the central body member 31 for holding or enclosing such articles as may be desired.

In the modifications shownin Figs. 1 to 4, and in Fig. 5, the stiffening flaps 24, 38, respectively may be retained in stiffening position by the use ofsnap buttons or the like and when disconnected from the snap buttons be free from any other part of the bag, and in this instance a pocket such as formed withinthe linin on the inner face of the bag may be provide forreceiving the stiffening flaps:

when not in use. 1 a

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 also illustrated as drum-shaped, the opposite flap, circular members 42, 43 are connected at theirperipheral edges respectively to the annular members 44, ,45, one of which, as for eirample 44, has its lower portion secured by stitching or otherwise to the central 1 member 46 and its upper portion unsecured to rovide a closure flap 47, similarly as hereina ove set forth, and at the edges of the flap 47 is secured a strip 48 on which are disposed spaced snap fasteners 49 for attachment to the respectlve coacting snap fasteners 49 se-- cured at the edge of the central member 46 for ready connection and disconnection of the closure flap 47. The handle in this instance ,comprises a pairof straps 50, 51, similarly as hereinabove set forth, one strap 50 beingse cured at'its fixed end 52 at one side of the bag and the other strap member 51 securedat its end 53 to the flap 47.. The snaps for conmaterial such as plush or the like and may be shirre-d or formed of other shape or ornanecting the strap members 50 and 51 are inneeneoe in Fig. 7.

The stifiening means for the bag shown in Fig. 6 maybe in the form of a series of fibre members 55 which may be enclosed in silk or the like and secured in stiffening position by means of snap fasteners 56, 56 The stiffening members 55 may betwo in number,

namely, at the top i. e., adjacent the handle 50, 51 and at the bottom, and auxiliary members 55 may be. employed at the opposite sides and additional stifi'ening members employed and removably' secured in position. The pocket 57 is shown on the inner face of the side member 421"1' redaiving the stiffeningv members 55 when not in use.

- The bag shown in Fig. 8 1s rectangular 1n outline and the material of the bag may be of patent leather or the like having the characteristicsas set forth herein. The side member 60 may be secured by stitchings to the peripheral member extending at the opposite 'ends 61 61 and the upper and lower sides (51,61 and the opposite sidemember 62 partly secured to the four portions 61 61*, 61, 61 of the peripheral member and its remaining portion 62* serving"as a closure flap. The

snap fasteners of the flap 62 are indicated at 63363. The stiffeningmeans is in the form of the seriesof strips 64, 64 respectively in the inner faces of the upper and lower portions 61, 61", of the peripheral member and similar strips 64 64:", respectively in series on the inner iacesof the end portions 61,

' 61 of the peripheral membenwhich strips are removably held in stifiening position by means of pivot buttons or fasteners 65, To aflord stifiness to the material in the direction of the length of the upper and lower portions 61, 61 of the peripheral member, the same are turned at the edges as indicated at 66, or the series or" stifiening strips .61 may be connected to one another by one or more longitudinal stifiening strips 67, pivotally connected by pivot buttons 68 to the respective strips 67. Such longitudinal strips 67 serve also to swing the transverse stiifening strips 61, 61 respectively from stifiening position into non-stifiening position and vice VEISEE.

The handle of-the had shown in Fig. 7 may be in the t'orm of a pair of loops 69, 70, the.

ends 69 of the handle loop 69 being secured to the closure lie 62 and the ends of the handle loo 70 beingsecpred to the material of'the bod of the bag. The ends 69270 of the respective handle, loops 69, 70 are-preferably secured in substantial alignment'with two transverse stifiening strips 6]. when the latter are set in stifienin position; v

Whereas patent .leat er and imitation mentation as may be desired, as is indicated position, but which material possesses suf- I crushable nature to be readily carried with- 8 out injury.

The invention is further advantageous in that the construction lends itself to various forms of design and ornamentation and forenclosing a large variety of articles.

. It will also be noted that the handle, particularly when the stiffening members are in stiffening position, eilects convenient carrying of the bag manually or about the arm of the person and ensures effective closure of the bag when suspended.

Whereas I have described my invention by,

reference to specific forms thereof itwill be secured to said peripheralmember for bold understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the splrit of the invention. I claim:

, 1. A. container of the class described formed of substantially self-collapsible material, removable stiffening means for holding said material in self-sustaining expanded position, and means disposed inwardly ofthe container for removably, securing said stilfening means in position. 1

2. A bag comprising a peripheral member and oppositely disposed side members, said peripheral member and said side members being of non-self-sustai'ning material, one of said side members being secured for a portion of its periphery to one go of said peripheral member, the remai der of its pe- J ripherybeing unsecured to or'm a closure flap to provide an opening nafiord access within the bag, fastener mepns for closing said closureflap relative to said peripheral member, the other of said side members being secured to the opposite edge of said peripheral member, stifiening sheet material ing said peripheral member, and therewith said side members in distended 'pos1t1on and handle means for suspending the bag, said handle means being secured to said peripheral member. V a

3. A bag formed of substantially self-collapsing material shaped as a container, a porleather are preferred as material-0t the bag 'tion of the material serving as a closure flap, means for holding the closure flap in closed proper, it will be understood that other ma-, terial may be'employed which is collaps1ble when the stifie a: means is outot stifiening terial self-sust posi tion, stifiening means for holding the mang expanded position,

- 1y to said flap and to the body portion of the.

ag. V

5. A bag formed of substantially self-collapsing material shaped as a container, a ortion of the material serving as a closure ap,

. means 'for holding the closure flap in closed position, stiffening means for holding the material in self-sustaining expanded position,

' said stiffening means being disposed inwardopened to provide an o ly'o'f the bag, means. for removably securing said stiffening means in position and a handle 1 device connected at its ends respectively to said closure 'flap and to the body portion 0 thebag.

'6. A bag formed of substantially self-collapsing material shaped as a container, stifiening means for holding the material in selfsustainingexpanded position, said stiffening means being disposed inwardy. of the bag,

means for remo'vably securing said stiffening.

means in position and means secured to an- -1nnerface of the material for holding said stifiening means when removed out of stifiening position. v v

j 7. A bag formed of substantially self-collapsing material shaped as a container, a portionof the material being detached to serve when closed as a closure member and when ening to afliord access into the bag, space s'tifiening members 7 for holding the material in self-sustaining expanded position,

means for removablyfi securing said stiffening means in position and means secured to the material .for holding said stiffening members when removed out of stiffening position. r

8. A bag formed of substantiallyself-colla ing material arranged to have a circular sidf, a 'circumferentially extending. central portion and an opposite circular side, a .por tion] of the material of said last-named circular side being detached to serve whenclosed as a closure flap and when opened to provide an opening to aflord access into 'thebag and stifiening means coacting with said circumferential y extending central portion to hold said central portion and said sides in selfsustaining expanded position. 9. A bag formed of substantially self-collapsing material arranged to have a circular side, a circumferentially extendin central portion and an opposite circular si e, apertion of the material of said last-named circular side being detached to serve when closed as a closure flap and when opened to provide an opening to afford access into the bag and stiffening means removably secured to the inner face of said circumferentially extending central portion to hold said central portion and saidsides in self-sustaining expanded position.

10. A bag formed of substantially selfcollapsing'material arranged to have a circular side, a circumferentially extending 0811- tral portion and an opposite circular side, a portion of the materialof said last-named circular side being detached to serve when closed as a closure flap and when opened to provide an opening to .afi'ord access into the bag, stiffening means coacting with said circumferentially extending central portion to hold saidc'entral portion and said sides in self-sustaining expanded position, and a bandle for the bag comprising-an element secured in fixed relation to said central portion and a coacting element secured to said closure'flap. 11. A bag formedof substantially self-colflapsing material and shaped as a container, a portion of the materialbeing detached to serve when closed as. a closure flap and when opened to p'rovide'an opening to aiiord access into the bag, disconnectable means for holding said flap in closed'position, stifiening'nieans disposed inwardly of the bag for holding said material in self-sustaining expanded position and means for removably holding said stiffening means in position.

12. A bag formed ,of substantially, self-collapsing material and shaped as a container; a. portion of the material being detached to serve when closed as a closure flap and when opened to provide .an opening to afford access into the bag, disconnectable means for loo I holding said flap in closed position, stifiening means disposed inwardly of the bag for 1 holding said material in self-sustaining expanded position and means 1 for removably holding said stiffening means in position.

13. A bag formed of substantially self-collapsing material arranged to have a circular side, a circumferentially extending central portion and an opposite circular side, a portion of the material of said last-named circular side being detached to serve when closed as a closure flap and when opened to side, a 'circumferentially extending central portion andan opposite circular side, a portion of the material of said last-named circular side being detached to serve when closed as a closure'flap'and when open to provide provide an opening to'afiord access into the an opening to afford access into the bag and removable spaced stiffening members coactposition.

15. A bag formed of substantially self-collapsing material and shaped as a container and provided with an opening, a portion of the material serving as a flap for closing the opening,stiffening means for holding the material in self-sustaining expanded position, means for removably securing said stifiening means in position and means for suspending the bag.

16. A hat bag formed of substantially selfcollapsing material and shaped as a drum and provided with an opening, a portion of the material serving as a flap for closing the opening, stiffening means disposed inwardly of the bag for holding the material in aselfsustaining expanded position and means disposed inwardly of the bag for removably securing said stifi'ening means in position.

17. A hand-bag of the character described comprising a peripheral band, flexible disk sides seamed at their edges to the edges of said band, a portion of the material of one of said sides forming a closure flap, and a handle comprising a strip secured at one end in the seam at one side of the bag and a tab secured to the free edge of the closure flap, and means on the free ends of said strip and tab for de-- tachably securing them together.

18. A bag comprising a peripheral member and oppositely disposed side members,

4 said peripheral member and said side members being of non-self-sustaining material, one of said side members being secured for a portion of its periphery to one edge of said peripheral member, the remainder of its periphery being unsecured to form a closure flap to provide an opening to afford access Within the bag, fastener means for closing said closure flap relative to said peripheral member, the other of said side members being secured to the opposite'edge of said peripheral members, stiffening sheet material secured. to said peripheral member for holding said peripheral member and therewith said side members in distended position and handle means for suspending the bag, said handle means comprising a handle strap hav- 7 ing one end secured to said closure flap.

l9. A container comprlslng non-self-sustamlng material servmg as the material of the'container proper, stiffening means forholding said material to conform to the full contour of the container and means for removably securing said stiffening means in position. j

20. A container comprising non-self-sustaining material serving as the material of the container proper, a plurality of stiffening means respectively at spaced locations within said container, for holding said material to conform to the full contour of the container, and means for removably securing the said stiffening means in position.

21. A container comprising non-self-sustaining material serving as the material of thecontainer proper, a plurality of stiffening means respectively at spaced locations Within said container forholding said material to conform to the full contour of the.

containers, and means disposed within the cortainer for removably securing said stiffening means in position.

22. A container comprising non-.self-sustaining ma rials serving as the material of the container proper, stiffening means for.

holding said material to conform to thefull contour of the container and snap fastening means for securing said stiffening means in position, I

23. A hand bag of the character described comprising a peripheral band, flexible disk sides seamed at their edges to the edges of said band, a portion of the material of one of said sides forming a closure flap, and a handle comprising a strap secured at its one end at one side of the bag and a second strap secured at its one end to an opposite side of the bag, and means on the free ends of, said handle straps for detachably securing them to one another.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 24th day of November, 1922.

HELEN o. GALE. 

